Tuesday, Aug. 18 is primary election day in Florida.
The News-Press & Naples Daily News will be covering the polls and election results Tuesday. Come back often to news-press.com for live updates.
Polls are are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
To find out where to drop your ballot or where to vote in-person, check the Lee County Supervisor of Elections web site at lee.vote.
Thousands have already cast ballots − either by mail or in early, in-person voting, which ended Saturday, Aug. 15.
If you haven’t mailed your Vote-by-Mail ballot yet: Don’t. Instead, deliver it by hand. The Florida Department of States says: “A returned voted ballot must be received, regardless of postmark, by the Supervisor of Elections’ office no later than 7 pm (local time) on Election Day.”
The News-Press and Naples Daily News journalists have been covering the Southwest Florida races, including gathering answers to questions from dozens of candidates about their qualifications and stances on critical issues.
Here’s what you need to know about some of the key races on Tuesday’s ballot:
LEE COUNTY
Lee County, Florida, Commission District 5, Republican primary
Lee County Commission District 5: This is a race to watch with newly appointed Commissioner Trish Petrosky facing Amanda Cochran for the seat that represents Lehigh Acres and rural parts of the county, such as Alva and Buckingham. Both women are Republicans and there is not a Democrat challenger, so all registered Lee voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote in the race and the winner will take the commission seat.
Lee school board candidates cite fiscal responsibility, student achievement, school safety as top issues
Lee County School Board: Two school board members will be selected today, Aug. 18, for district seats 1, which represents Cape Coral, Pine Island and Sanibel, and district 6, an at-large seat representing the whole county. District 1: Incumbent Sam Fisher versus challenger Jenn McDaigle. Seat 6: Incumbent Jada Langford-Flemming versus challenger India Palencia. Two other school board seats (4 and 5) have multiple candidates, and the top voter-getters will move ahead to face off in the general election unless one candidate get 50% plus one vote, in which case they win the seat.
U.S. CONGRESS
Who will replace Republican Congressman Byron Donalds in the U.S. House?
U.S. House of Representatives, District 19: More than a dozen candidates qualified to run, hoping voters will pick them to replace Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who is the frontrunner in today’s race for the Republican nomination for governor; 11 Republicans are on that party’s ballot and three candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination. The winner in each moves ahead to compete in the general election.
Two Dems face off for party nomination District 17 race
U.S. House of Representatives, District 17: Once a more Sarasota-focused district, District 17 now includes parts of Fort Myers and a wider swath of Lee after redistricting. Two Democrats are competing to determine who will face the Republican incumbent Republican Greg Steube in November.
CAPE CORAL
Cape Coral voters choosing among mayoral and council candidates
Cape Coral City Council: Cape Coral voters have been wading through a crowded list of mayoral and city council candidates who have stepped up to run in one of Florida’s largest municipalities. Top finalists in the mayor’s race and two council races will move ahead to the general election. These are non-partisan races.
BONITA SPRINGS
Bonita Springs Bond Referendum: Voters in one of Southwest Florida’s smallest municipalities, Bonita Springs, will determine the fate of a proposed linear park with bike and walking trails along the old rail tracks. They will decide whether to approve $35 million in bonds to pay for the city’s part of the trail, which is called BERT, or the Bonita Estero Rail Trail
Bonita Springs voters are calling the shots on rail trail funding. Will it pass?
FLORIDA
Which Republican and which Democrat will face off in November FL gubernatorial election?
Florida Governor: Southwest Florida’s Congressman Donalds is considered a front-runner in the Republican primary, that features a long list of candidates. The winner will face whomever wins the Democrat nomination, which will be decided in today’s Florida primary.
Your guide to the Florida governor’s race
Florida Cabinet: Voters are also choosing nominees for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Florida Chief Financial Officer.
What to know about FL CFO race: Voter’s guide
Florida Agriculture Commission candidates: What to know
Florida state House of Representative Republican primaries
Florida House of Representatives: Two house seat that represent the citizens of Lee County are on the Republican ballot, with two candidates each seeking the party’s nomination: These include District 76 (includes North Fort Myers) and District 78 (includes Fort Myers and parts of south Fort Myers). In Collier County, two Republicans face off for the rural District 82 seat.
SW FLORIDA
Judge seats up for grabs in Florida’s 20th Circuit and Lee County
Some judge positions are contested for the 20th Judicial Circuit Court as well and Lee County Court. Other judges, including those in Collier County Court, were unopposed and therefore win the seats.
Choosing who to vote for in these non-partisan elections can be difficult. Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network tackled that question and came up with this advice:
How to choose a judge: tips from those in the know
COLLIER COUNTY
U.S. Congress will get a newcomer from South Florida’s new District 22
U.S. House of Representatives, District 22: This newly drawn district spans central south Florida from inland Collier County to Hendry County to inland parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties. Politicos and voters are watching to see what newcomer will win the seat to represent the vast district.
Rural Collier County, Florida will have a new rep in the state House
Florida House District 82: Republicans in this rural district will choose between Liesa Priddy and Bill Poteet for their nominee to face a Democrat challenger in the Nov. 3 general election. Both identify as conservatives, with platforms that reinforce pro-business, limited government stances. Priddy is a long-time local rancher and Poteet and longtime Realtor and civic leader.
Contributing: Charlie Whitehead, Amy Bennett Williams, Mickenzie Hannon, Charles Runnells, Vanessa Norris, John Torres, Curt Anderson, Phil Fernandez, Cindy McCurry-Ross
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Last minute SW Florida voters guide: What to know about Tuesday’s primary election
Reporting by Cindy McCurry-Ross, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cindy McCurry-Ross, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
